New flight plan
Tunica Airport poised to get big jets in the Delta

By David Yawn

Piloted by the robust gaming industry business, a new airport in Tunica, Miss., will soon boast a longer runway to handle heftier jets.

Tunica Airport is now in the fifth year of a five-year, multimillion-dollar phased project. At least nine casinos are within quick access of the year-old airport, which is located about 40 mi. south of Memphis.

The $40 million capital improvement program calls for new runway expansions, roadway improvements, sophisticated navigational equipment and eventually a larger replacement terminal, said Eric Konupka, deputy airport director.

TAC operates out of a new 11,000-sq.-ft. terminal, which serves passenger needs until a larger one is built.

Lehman Roberts Co. of Memphis, which built the original runway and taxiway at the airport, is extending the main runway to accept larger jets. In addition, Hill Brothers Construction of Falkner, Miss., has also been involved in the runway's development as a general contractor, now as a subcontractor for Lehman Roberts.

The longest surfaced runway is 5,500 ft. by 150 ft., and Lehman Roberts is extending that by another 1,500 ft., said John Paul Finerson, engineer/estimator and project manager for the project.

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"The airport expansion provides Tunica with a significantly enhanced air-based infrastructure that will have a direct and positive impact on our tourism industry as well as on economic development throughout the Delta," said Webster Franklin, president and CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The series of projects represents one of the largest projects funded by the Federal Aviation Administration in Mississippi. Upon completion, Tunica's runway will be the longest runway in Mississippi north of Jackson.

The airfield's construction also required a final 2-in. surfacing on all parts of the runways, along with grooving of the pavement, all of which will be completed this fall.

Finerson said that altogether there will be 21 in. of paving depth.

"The natural soil here expands and contracts," he added. "When we started, we had to take off 3 ft. of existing soil, and a suitable material was brought in as a foundation."

The second project, which began last summer, calls for installation of an instrument landing system, approach lights and other devices. The third component, which should be completed this fall, requires the installation of an automated weather observation system.

The ILS and other navigational aides are critical to the airport in terms of having an all-weather landing strip, Konupka said. This provides aircraft with precision instrument approach capabilities there.

Meanwhile, the airport traffic remains active.

"We're constantly juggling all these projects while the airport is in operation," Finerson said. "Add to that the FAA's stringent specifications and the bar is set pretty high."

When Tunica Airport opened the 5,500-ft. runway and terminal building last September, it gave visitors access to nearby casinos via corporate and specially contracted jet aircraft. It also helped Tunica County and the Delta diversify its economy.

The airport features panoramic windows facing the airfield and a 20,000-sq.-ft. general and corporate aviation ramp. The terminal building contains offices and a lounge for airport staff; Internet access; space for aviation fuel; concierge for hotel, theater, dinner or golf reservations; flight-planning room; conference room; aircraft cleaning services; onsite rental cars and limos; catering; and facilities for passenger check-in and baggage handling.

Konupka said the runway and infrastructure were designed with an eye not only toward corporate and regional jets but also for commercial carrier-level needs down the road.

The sophisticated landing, takeoff and air traffic monitoring devices being installed have commercial tenants in mind, he added. Such a carrier would be able to bring in narrow-bodied aircraft on a scheduled basis once all precision approach indicators and related instrumentation are thoroughly in place. This would include craft such as 737s, 727s, DC9s, MD80s and Airbus 320s.

In the airport's master plan, future construction includes an air traffic control tower, 8,500-ft. runway and 320,000-sq.-ft. commercial-grade apron, along with a larger terminal. The terminal would measure an estimated 45,000 sq. ft. and contain two arrival and departure gates with jet loading bridges, Konupka said.

Nearby would be an airport rescue and firefighting station, equipment and personnel.

Malouf Construction of Greenwood, Miss., is already working on a large section of the enlarged apron.

"Cooperation between federal, state and local officials made this project possible," said Franklin of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With the airport expansion and the opening of Tunica National Golf & Tennis and Tunica RiverPark, Tunica is becoming a more attractive destination."

Cliff Nash, airport director, added, "Our airfield and terminal are yet another type of welcome mat that we extend to the millions of visitors who come here each year for entertainment. We are seeing an increase in the air traffic coming into the area now that we have the new runway and enhanced infrastructure."

Tunica, an area where cotton, rice, soybean fields and catfish ponds still thrive, has more than 12 million visitors annually to its nine casino resorts, with more than 6,300 new hotel rooms, more than 40 restaurants, golf, outdoor recreation and museums.

The airport is seeing an average of 1,000 passengers come through its gates on a monthly basis.

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For more information about Tunica Airport, go to: http://www.tunicaairport.com/